20,000 gather in St. Paul for March For Our Lives

Here in Minnesota, there are several events taking place on Saturday. Here's what you need to know.

Author:
KARE 11 Staff

Published:
1:21 PM CDT March 23, 2018

Updated:
8:48 PM CDT March 24, 2018

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Thousands gathered in St. Paul Saturday for the local "March For Our Lives" rally, as hundreds of events took place across the country to protest gun violence in school and support changing gun regulations.

Students and supporters gathered at Harriet Island in St. Paul before marching to the capitol, saying this is the time for change. Authorities estimated the crowd to be around 20,000 marchers.

The crowd was diverse in age, but was unmistakably led by students. Many could be heard chanting, "This generation will change our nation" and "No more silence, end the violence."

PHOTOS: March For Our Lives in St. Paul

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

01/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

02/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

03/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

04/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

05/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

06/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

07/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

08/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

09/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

10/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

11/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

12/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

13/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

14/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

15/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

16/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

17/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

18/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

19/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

20/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

21/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

22/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

23/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

24/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

25/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

26/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

27/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

28/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

29/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

30/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

31/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

32/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

33/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

34/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

35/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

36/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

37/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

38/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

39/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

40/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

41/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

42/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

43/63

Thousands gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally. (Photo: Emily Haavik, KARE 11)

44/63

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

45/63

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

46/63

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

47/63

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

48/63

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

49/63

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

50/63

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

51/63

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

52/63

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

53/63

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

54/63

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

55/63

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

56/63

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

57/63

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

58/63

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

59/63

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

60/63

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

61/63

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

62/63

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

63/63

Students gather in St. Paul for the local March For Our Lives rally.

Others held signs stating "Not One More," "Never Again," and "I shouldn't have to march for my life."

Here in Minnesota, there are several events taking place on Saturday. Beyond the St. Paul events at the Capitol, there were events happening in Aitkin, Brainerd, Duluth, Ely, Fargo-Moorhead, Grand Marais, Grand Rapids, North Branch, Rochester, Sartell, Starbuck, Willmar, Winona and more.

Sign Up for the Sunrise Morning Newsletter

Thanks for signing up!

Something went wrong.

This email will be delivered to your inbox once a day in the morning.

Please check your email to confirm your subscription.

Please try again later.

St. Paul Police are warning motorists and residents that there will be a number of closures due to the march in St. Paul.

To avoid closures on Wabasha, police advise taking I-94 or Shepard Road. Parking is limited, so marchers are encouraged to park downtown and walk across the Wabasha bridge.

PHOTOS: Celebs at the March For Our Lives

Miley Cyrus performs "The Climb" during the March for Our Lives rally on March 24, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Miley Cyrus performs "The Climb" during the March for Our Lives rally on March 24, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Singer Ariana Grande performs during the March for Our Lives Rally in Washington, DC on March 24, 2018. MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images

Miley Cyrus performs "The Climb" during the March for Our Lives rally on March 24, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Singer Ariana Grande performs during the March for Our Lives Rally in Washington, DC on March 24, 2018. (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Singer Ariana Grande performs during the March for Our Lives Rally in Washington, DC on March 24, 2018. (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Lin Manuel Miranda sings during the March for Our Lives Rally in Washington, DC on March 24, 2018.(Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)

Lin Manuel Miranda sings during the March for Our Lives Rally in Washington, DC on March 24, 2018.(Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)

Rapper Vic Mensa sings during the March for Our Lives Rally in Washington, DC on March 24, 2018.(Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)

Rapper Vic Mensa sings during the March for Our Lives Rally in Washington, DC on March 24, 2018. (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)

Rapper Vic Mensa sings during the March for Our Lives Rally in Washington, DC on March 24, 2018.(Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)

Singer Lin-Manuel Miranda (L) and Singer Ben Platt perform during the March For Our Lives rally against gun violence in Washington, DC on March 24, 2018. MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images

Singer Demi Lovato sings at the March for Our Lives rally in Washington, DC on March 24, 2018. GNICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images

Sir Paul McCartney joins thousands of people, many of them students, march against gun violence in Manhattan during the March for Our Lives rally on March 24, 2018 in New York, United States. Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Sir Paul McCartney joins thousands of people, many of them students, march against gun violence in Manhattan during the March for Our Lives rally on March 24, 2018 in New York, United State. Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Common performs "Stand Up For Something" with members of the Cardinal Shehan School Choir during the March for Our Lives rally on March 24, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Common and Andra Day perform "Stand Up For Something" with members of the Cardinal Shehan School Choir during the March for Our Lives rally on March 24, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Singer Andra Day and Common raise their fists after a performance as people gather at the March for Our Lives Rally in Washington, DC on March 24, 2018. MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images

Common raises his fist after a performance as people gather at the March for Our Lives Rally in Washington, DC on March 24, 2018. JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images

Singer Demi Lovato performs at the March for Our Lives rally in Washington, DC on March 24, 2018. JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images

Singer Demi Lovato sings at the March for Our Lives rally in Washington, DC on March 24, 2018. JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images

Singer Andra Day sings as people gather at the March for Our Lives Rally in Washington, DC on March 24, 2018.MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images

01/22

Miley Cyrus performs "The Climb" during the March for Our Lives rally on March 24, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

02/22

Miley Cyrus performs "The Climb" during the March for Our Lives rally on March 24, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

03/22

Singer Ariana Grande performs during the March for Our Lives Rally in Washington, DC on March 24, 2018. MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images

04/22

Miley Cyrus performs "The Climb" during the March for Our Lives rally on March 24, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

05/22

Singer Ariana Grande performs during the March for Our Lives Rally in Washington, DC on March 24, 2018. (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)

06/22

Singer Ariana Grande performs during the March for Our Lives Rally in Washington, DC on March 24, 2018. (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)

07/22

Lin Manuel Miranda sings during the March for Our Lives Rally in Washington, DC on March 24, 2018.(Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)

08/22

Lin Manuel Miranda sings during the March for Our Lives Rally in Washington, DC on March 24, 2018.(Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)

09/22

Rapper Vic Mensa sings during the March for Our Lives Rally in Washington, DC on March 24, 2018.(Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)

10/22

Rapper Vic Mensa sings during the March for Our Lives Rally in Washington, DC on March 24, 2018. (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)

11/22

Rapper Vic Mensa sings during the March for Our Lives Rally in Washington, DC on March 24, 2018.(Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)

12/22

Singer Lin-Manuel Miranda (L) and Singer Ben Platt perform during the March For Our Lives rally against gun violence in Washington, DC on March 24, 2018. MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images

13/22

Singer Demi Lovato sings at the March for Our Lives rally in Washington, DC on March 24, 2018. GNICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images

14/22

Sir Paul McCartney joins thousands of people, many of them students, march against gun violence in Manhattan during the March for Our Lives rally on March 24, 2018 in New York, United States. Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images

15/22

Sir Paul McCartney joins thousands of people, many of them students, march against gun violence in Manhattan during the March for Our Lives rally on March 24, 2018 in New York, United State. Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images

16/22

Common performs "Stand Up For Something" with members of the Cardinal Shehan School Choir during the March for Our Lives rally on March 24, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

17/22

Common and Andra Day perform "Stand Up For Something" with members of the Cardinal Shehan School Choir during the March for Our Lives rally on March 24, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

18/22

Singer Andra Day and Common raise their fists after a performance as people gather at the March for Our Lives Rally in Washington, DC on March 24, 2018. MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images

19/22

Common raises his fist after a performance as people gather at the March for Our Lives Rally in Washington, DC on March 24, 2018. JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images

20/22

Singer Demi Lovato performs at the March for Our Lives rally in Washington, DC on March 24, 2018. JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images

21/22

Singer Demi Lovato sings at the March for Our Lives rally in Washington, DC on March 24, 2018. JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images

22/22

Singer Andra Day sings as people gather at the March for Our Lives Rally in Washington, DC on March 24, 2018.MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images

Plan ahead

Let your family know you’re going to the march and bring a friend (or a few!) along with you. Decide a location and time where everyone can meet up if your group gets separated.

Prep your smartphone

Fully charge your phone before the march, but in case it dies, write emergency contact numbers on an index card or even your arm. To make it easier to communicate at the march, consider downloading an app such as FireChat, which allows you to instant message without using data or Wi-Fi within a 200-foot range. Use #marchforourlivesdc and #MFOLDC to share images and videos from the protest on social media.

It might also be a good idea to turn off the fingerprint unlock feature on your phone. Although it’s incredibly unlikely, the police could force you to use your fingerprint to unlock your phone, but they can’t ask for your password thanks to the Fifth Amendment.

How to interact with law enforcement

Demonstrators at large, peaceful marches like this typically don't interact with the police unless they are doing something illegal like purposefully blocking a road. If you get stopped by the police, the ACLU says you should "stay calm, be polite, and don't run." Some states have “stop and identify laws,” meaning that if a police officer asks you to identify yourself you must give your name. Keep your hands visible and ask if you are free to leave.

Know your rights

Whether you’re a citizen or not, the First Amendment protects your constitutional right to demonstrate peacefully. You also have the right to photograph or film police. Police can pat you down to make sure you’re unarmed, but unless you are under arrest, you can refuse to consent to a search.

If an officer says you are under arrest, don’t resist even if you don’t think you’ve done anything wrong. You can ask why you’ve been arrested, otherwise you have the right to remain silent.

How to deal with counterprotesters

Remember that counterprotesters have rights, too. As long as they are not physically interfering with the main demonstration, they can attend the event and speak out. Police will generally keep the two groups separated, and it’s best not to engage with counterdemonstrators, according to the ACLU.